From: Serpens Area: THE_OASIS
To: Diane Vera 20 Apr 92 20:22:46
Subject: Re: PENTAGRAMS Rec'd UpdReq
Diane -
I dunno if I am knowledgeable about the history of occultism - I have a
"database" that serves my purposes, but I would hardly call it scholarly.
Off the top of my head...
- the GD definitely was down on averse pentagrams. The instruction in its
use, symbolism, etc. was very strong on that point. There was no direct
reference to Satanism, but I believe the bit abot symbolizing the ascension
of the material over the spiritual was cited.
- my own take on Reguli is that it is designed, by its substitution of Aeon of
Horus symbols and sequences for cognate Aeon of Osiris elements, to "kick
start" the Thelemic Current, as envisioned by AC, in the practitioner's
aura/consciousness/whatever.
If this hypothesis is correct, then Crowley's use of the symbol denominated
evil by Mathers would be a deliberate refutation of the GD teaching described
above.
(whether this represented an esoteric version of a Crowleyan "shocker,"
a deliberate magical break with the Osirian egregore of the GD, or another
kick at Mathers for being another failed father-substitute for Crowley (or
all of the above) is a decision each must make for themselves).
- I am trying to remember if Dennis Wheatley (when comes such another(g))
refers to the averse 'gram in his "black magic" novels, which certainly
predate LaVey. As far as I know, the Sigil of Leviathan originated with
LaVey. Hmmm - ironic note: it is plastered on the front of Wheatley's late
novel "The Satanist" (in a 1972 printing). In fact, the Leviathan sigil was
used as the trademark on all Ballantine's "Black Magic Series"
reprints of Wheatley. I assume they paid LaVey for the license?
- certainly all the pentagrams in the grimoires were point-up (viz. the
Goetia), as far as I know. Hmm - one source I would check is Levi. A lot
of the neoromantic Satanic revival (as well as the neoromantic occult revival
in general) traces back to the Levi. I'll do some digging there.
It seems to me that pentagrams played a role in the Vintras/Boullan wiz-war of
that period too, but their direction I do not recall.
Paul
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